When choosing an SSD for Windows 10, there are a few key factors to consider: performance, reliability, price, capacity, and form factor. In this comprehensive guide, we will compare the top SSDs on the market and help you decide which one is the best choice for your Windows 10 PC.
Quick Answers
For those short on time, here are quick answers to some common questions about the best SSDs for Windows 10:
- Overall best SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus
- Best budget SSD: Crucial MX500
- Best performance SSD: Samsung 970 Pro
- Best large capacity SSD: Intel 660p
- Best portable SSD: Samsung T5
Do I need an SSD for Windows 10?
An SSD or solid state drive is highly recommended for Windows 10. Compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs are significantly faster, more reliable, and more power efficient. The key benefits of using an SSD with Windows 10 include:
- Faster boot times – Windows 10 boots in seconds rather than minutes with an SSD.
- Faster loading times – Applications and files load instantly.
- Improved performance – SSDs have quick access times and fast data transfer speeds.
- More reliable – No moving parts make SSDs less prone to failure.
- Better multitasking – The improved speeds allow for snappier multitasking.
For the optimal Windows 10 experience, an SSD is highly recommended over an HDD. When choosing your SSD, factors like capacity, performance, and budget will determine which model is best for your needs.
Best SSDs for Windows 10
Here are our picks for the top SSDs to use with Windows 10:
Samsung 970 EVO Plus
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus is the overall best SSD for most Windows 10 users. It offers an excellent combination of performance, reliability, capacity options, and reasonable pricing. Key features include:
- Read speeds up to 3,500MB/s and write speeds up to 3,300MB/s
- 5-year warranty or up to 1,200 TBW endurance
- Capacities from 250GB to 2TB
- Samsung Magician software for drive monitoring and optimization
The 970 EVO Plus utilizes Samsung’s 3-bit MLC V-NAND flash memory and a refined controller to deliver fast speeds for transferring and loading games, applications, and files. It’s an excellent performer for daily use, gaming, and professional applications.
Crucial MX500
The Crucial MX500 is the best budget SSD option for Windows 10. It still offers very good speeds and endurance at an affordable price point. Key features include:
- Read speeds up to 560MB/s and write speeds up to 510MB/s
- 5-year warranty or up to 360TB total bytes written
- Capacities from 250GB to 2TB
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption
The MX500 is a great choice if you want excellent value without sacrificing performance. It uses Micron’s advanced 3D NAND technology to deliver fast boot times, quick app launching, and rapid file transfers at a reasonable cost.
Samsung 970 Pro
For those who demand the absolute best performance, the Samsung 970 Pro is the top choice. It’s an NVMe PCIe SSD designed for tech enthusiasts, creative professionals, and gaming. Key features include:
- Blazing read speeds up to 3,500MB/s and write speeds up to 2,700MB/s
- 5-year warranty or up to 1,200TBW endurance
- Capacities from 512GB to 1TB
- Top-tier performance for high intensive workloads
With Samsung’s V-NAND flash and a powerful controller, the 970 Pro offers incredible speed and throughput when working with large files, 4K content, or running demanding games. It’s overkill for basic usage but perfect for performance gurus.
Intel 660p
The Intel 660p provides the best combination of high capacity and affordable pricing. It’s a good option when you need lots of SSD storage space on a budget. Key features include:
- Up to 1,800MB/s sequential read speeds
- 5-year warranty
- Huge capacity options from 512GB up to 2TB
- QLC 3D NAND technology for big storage capacity
The 660p isn’t the fastest SSD, but the very low cost per gigabyte makes it stand out for big storage needs. It’s great if you have large game libraries, media collections, or work with massive files.
Samsung T5
For a portable SSD, the Samsung T5 is sleek, compact, and fast. It’s the top choice for on-the-go file storage and transfers. Key features include:
- Sequential read/write speeds up to 540MB/s
- Durable metal housing with shock resistance
- Compact size with footprint smaller than a business card
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity
- Password protection and AES 256-bit encryption
The T5 is the perfect portable SSD companion for your Windows 10 laptop. It offers speedy transfers for photos, videos, and files when you’re traveling or out of the office. An ideal external storage solution.
How to Choose the Right SSD for Windows 10
Selecting the ideal SSD involves factoring in performance needs, storage requirements, and budget considerations. Follow these tips for choosing the right model:
- Determine capacity needs – Consider how much storage you require for apps, files, and media. For most users, 250GB – 1TB is sufficient.
- Consider performance needs – Faster NVMe SSDs like the 970 Pro provide more speed for gaming and professional use. SATA SSDs like the MX500 are sufficient for mainstream everyday use.
- Factor in workload – For heavy multitasking, creative workloads, gaming, or business use, choose a higher performance SSD.
- Decide on a form factor – M.2 SSDs plug directly into a motherboard slot. 2.5″ SSDs connect via SATA cable like a traditional HDD.
- Determine a budget – Entry-level SATA SSDs provide good performance per dollar. Higher priced NVMe SSDs offer more speed capabilities.
Considering these criteria will help narrow down the ideal SSD model for your Windows 10 PC build or upgrade.
Top Features to Look for in an SSD
Here are some of the key specifications and capabilities to evaluate when shopping for an SSD:
- Interface – NVMe SSDs are much faster than SATA models. But NVMe requires specific hardware/software support.
- Sequential read/write speeds – Faster SSDs will have higher maximum throughput capabilities.
- IOPS – Input/output operations per second impacts performance for small file transfers.
- Endurance – Measured in terabytes written (TBW). The higher this value, the longer the SSD will last.
- NAND type – MLC, TLC and QLC impact performance, endurance and cost. MLC is fastest, TLC offers a good balance.
- DRAM cache – Having DRAM improves small file transfer speeds and overall responsiveness.
- Data protection – Power loss circuitry prevents data corruption and loss during sudden shutdowns.
- Warranty length – Longer warranties, 5 years or more, demonstrate better expected reliability.
- Software – User friendly tools like Samsung Magician for drive management and health monitoring.
SSD vs HDD: Key Differences
SSDs and HDDs take different approaches to data storage and use different technology. Here are some key differences between the two:
Speed
SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs in almost every regard. They have very quick access times of just a few microseconds, fast data transfer speeds, and are capable of tens of thousands more input/output operations per second (IOPS) compared to HDDs.
Performance
The superior speed of SSDs results in much better real-world performance. Applications and files load instantly, games have faster level loading, and the entire system feels much more responsive. Multitasking is also significantly improved with SSDs.
Reliability
SSDs have no moving parts, making them more durable and shock-resistant than HDDs. They are not prone to mechanical failures or degraded performance caused by fragmentation and file system fatigue over time. SSDs still gradually wear out over years of heavy use, but lifespan ratings are very high these days.
Noise
HDDs generate audible noise from spinning disks and moving heads, while SSDs are completely silent with no moving parts. Noise levels from modern HDDs are fairly unobtrusive, but SSDs have no sound at all.
Power Efficiency
The flash memory and solid state electronics in SSDs consume much less power than the motors and actuators required by HDDs. This gives SSDs a clear advantage in laptops to preserve battery life. Desktop users also reap rewards in energy savings.
Shock and Vibration Resistance
Without any moving parts, SSDs can withstand significantly more shocks and vibration than HDDs with sensitive spinning disks and heads. This makes them better suited for laptops and mobile devices that are more prone to being bumped, shaken, and dropped.
Cost and Capacity
HDDs are much cheaper in terms of dollar per gigabyte of storage. However, SSD prices continue to decline. For most general consumer and office workloads, SSD speeds are desirable. In some cases, hybrid drives provide a balance of SSD responsiveness and HDD capacity at a reasonable price.
M.2 vs 2.5″ SATA SSDs
The two most common form factors for SSDs are M.2 and traditional 2.5″ SATA. Here’s how they compare:
M.2
- Designed to plug directly into an M.2 slot on the motherboard for greater simplicity.
- Very compact and lightweight. No cables required.
- Supports PCIe NVMe or SATA interfaces. NVMe models much faster.
- No moving parts results in silent operation.
2.5″ SATA
- Uses a standard 2.5″ form factor and SATA connectors for easy installation.
- Compatible with virtually all modern desktops, laptops, and motherboards.
- Slightly larger physical size but still compact compared to 3.5″ HDDs.
- Similar silent operation as M.2 SSDs.
For most desktop users, 2.5″ SATA SSDs provide an affordable sweet spot in terms of capacity, performance, and compatibility. M.2 is excellent when smaller size and maximum speeds are beneficial, like laptops or SFF PCs.
Troubleshooting Common SSD Issues
SSDs are generally quite reliable, especially modern 3D NAND models. However, here are some tips for troubleshooting and fixing common SSD problems:
Slow performance – Reset Windows 10 with a clean install, update drivers, check for malware or junk files hogging resources. Insufficient RAM or an old CPU could also be bottlenecking the SSD.
Not detected by BIOS – Reseat the SSD and check SATA cable connections. Make sure M.2 slot or drive firmware is up to date.
OS fails to boot – Try booting from a Windows 10 installation USB drive and run chkdsk and sfc scans to check for file system errors.
Errors copying files – Run chkdsk to scan for bad sectors. Check SMART drive health stats via SSD toolbox software.
Overheating – Ensure SSD has sufficient air flow and isn’t choked. Update firmware and SSD drivers.
Reduced lifespan – Avoid maxing out drive capacity which slows it down over time. Monitor wear leveling via toolbox.
Maximizing SSD Lifespan
To get the longest lifespan out of your SSD:
- Keep at least 10-20% free space available.
- Use the SSD optimization and TRIM tools built into Windows 10.
- Regularly update SSD firmware.
- Avoid excessive unnecessary writes when possible.
- Monitor drive wear level status via SSD toolbox software.
- Use higher quality drives with better endurance ratings.
- Keep drive firmware and storage drivers updated.
- Maintain proper system cooling for ideal operating temperatures.
Following SSD best practices will help maximize performance and extend the usable lifespan of your solid state drive.
Conclusion
Installing an SSD is one of the best upgrades you can make for a Windows 10 PC. The Samsung 970 EVO Plus is the overall best SSD for most users with its great balance of speed, endurance, capacity, and affordability. For those needing massive drive space, the value-packed Intel 660p is a great choice. The Samsung 970 Pro sits at the top tier for no-compromise performance. And the Crucial MX500 delivers excellent bang for the buck. With this SSD buying guide, you can select the perfect model to optimize your Windows 10 experience.